Cat not using the litter box?

Your cat may not be using the litter box for many reasons. If you have ruled out diseases by taking your cat to the vet, you should go over this list I came up with. Your cat might be unhappy with one or some of those issues.

Too few boxes

The ideal number of litter boxes in a home is at least the number of cats + 1. If you have two cats, you should have at least 3 litter boxes.

With four cats at home, I keep five litter boxes in the house. I have one in each floor, and two in the basement, the biggest room. It works well for us, even though I would like to have one more. I just can’t seem to find the right place for it (handy for the cats and hidden from visitors).

Box is in the wrong place

The litter box should be in a quiet place — away from the furnace and any other machines that emit noises. Cats don’t like to be surprised while in the bathroom. The box should also be in a place easily accessible for your cat. If it’s too difficult to reach the box, he may not make it there on time, especially if your cat is older and arthritic.

If you have several cats, a lower-ranking cat may have trouble accessing the litter boxes. If he’s trapped by other cats on his way to the loo, he may choose to pee somewhere else, given the circumstances.

Box is hooded

Most cats don’t enjoy hooded litter boxes. They trap the pee and poop odor inside, make it darker and much more difficult or even impossible to escape if another cat blocks the door.

My litter boxes are tall, clear plastic storage containers without the lid. I bought them at Target and drilled a hole in the side of each box (This one might do the trick). This way, my cats can easily access it from a door, see if any other cat approaches and escape from the top if necessary. Since the walls are clear, my cats can see better inside (more light). The fact I don’t cover them help ventilate any scents from a previous visit to the bathroom, so the cats don’t get overwhelmed.

Box is too dirty

If you buy clumping litter, scoop the litter box at least once a day and change the whole content every couple of months. Some people rotate litter boxes every six months so one box can “breathe” (they let the pee scents dissipate) while the cat uses the other one.

If the litter you use does not clump, change to clumping litter. If you can’t, scoop at least once a day and change the litter at least every week.

Box is too clean

If you clean your cat box with harsh-smelling chemicals such as bleach, your cat may avoid the place. Cats are very sensitive to smells.

Unwanted liners

Some cats hate the feel or the crackling sounds of plastic liners — or both.

Wrong litter

Cats can be fussy about litter. Some types of pine litter don’t absorb the smell of pee, which may disgust your cat and make him look for another bathroom. Some clay litters have a strong perfume smell to please humans. But they might displease your cat. I use World’s Best Extra Strength made out of corn, and we’re all very happy (cats and humans).

Litter is not deep enough or too deep

Figure out how much litter your cat wants in the litter box. My cats hate it when I don’t pour enough litter, and they find themselves scratching the bottom of the box to cover their poop. They leave the thing uncovered and vanish. I have to put up with the perfume.

Animosity between cats in the house

If you have cats who don’t like each other, increase the number of litter boxes in your house. Again, make sure they are uncovered and made of clear plastic, so they can see when another cat approaches and can escape safely and quickly. If your cat feels unsafe in the box, he will look for another place to relieve himself.

Good luck, and please send me your cat & dog questions and problems. I will look for ways to help you!

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Crosby watches the perimeter from his litter box. Clear boxes allow cats to keep an eye on other cats approaching, which makes them feel more relaxed and confident about going potty. (Daniela Caride photo)

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KinKStar

I bought an underbed tote to use as a litterbox a few months ago and it's great. My cats like to dance around, to find the right spot. The lid is beside the box and helps catch some stray litter as they hop out. I won't ever buy another standard litterbox after this experience with my cats being more comfortable.

The box shown is pretty good, but sometimes litter clumps break up or become stuck like concrete to the box. This one must be hard to clean clumped litter out of the wheel notches on the bottom.

http://intensedebate.com/people/caride Daniela Caride

KinKStar, actually its not that difficult. If my cats pee on a corner, the litter clumps altogether, and I scoop it as a single rock of clumped litter. The only thing is that it comes out with an edge – the shape of the box corner – instead of round.

:-)

http://www.ihavecat.com ihavecat

did you make that litter box for him? brilliant! did you think of putting a lid on it? i'm surprised he needs the entry way..does't he just jump out? so cute that crosby!

http://intensedebate.com/people/caride Daniela Caride

I did, Tamar. Doesn't it look good? I recommend not to use lids. Cats prefer litter boxes where the odors don't get trapped. He would jump in and ut of the box, but the idea is to have several alternatives to escape the box if another cat ambushes the cat who is peeing.

Tamar Arslanian

i just noticed you have the poo "genie"!!! i used mine a lot til i got the litter robot. lol!

Great information, and it must be shared! I've always used mostly high-sided containers for those who like to stand up and pee, and they'd pee right over the edge on the normal-sized boxes. I have one covered one in the bathroom, but it's translucent plastic so it's okay with them. In fact, when I first put it in there they used it as a bed for a few days…I also leave the light on in the basement for the older ones beginning several years ago. I think when Peaches approaces the hole in the basement door and the light isn't on, she thinks the basement no longer exists.

http://intensedebate.com/people/caride Daniela Caride

Oh, Peaches may not see that well now, that cute cat! So sweet…

:-)

Cindy Loflin

When I threw away Tut's "old" litterbox for a new one – he went on a rampage…marking all over the garage and house (he and Gracie had always been excellent with their litter boxes). We used the same litter, they were in the same place – but he just went nuts. Then, my "cat people" recommended Dr. Elway's Cat Attract litter (available at PetSmart, etc.). I don't know what magic herbal stuff he puts in it – but it worked instantly, and not one more incident. We don't use anything else (we are afraid to!) and it's guaranteed:http://www.preciouscat.com/

http://intensedebate.com/people/caride Daniela Caride

That's a wonderful tip, Cindy! Thank you!

http://www.CatnipChronicles.com Kent Butler

We use the largest size litter boxes PetsMart carries and they work well for us. Our furbabies like the Tidy Cats litter, as do I because it clumps nicely. I scoop twice daily, often supervised by one or both the girls. Rascal's busy hiding. As soon as they're scooped, at least one of the girls "must" use at least one box – maybe more. Cats! Crazy enough to be human…

http://intensedebate.com/people/caride Daniela Caride

Hi Kent! Thanks for the comment! I bought clay litter for a long time here. Then I found out it liberates silica dust, which is harmful to us and the animals. So I changed it to pine, which didn't absorb odors that well. So I went for corn, and it worked great.

The other advantage of corn and pine over clay is that it's not that heavy. I had a hard time carrying the buckets from the store into my home.

:-)

http://www.CatnipChronicles.com Kent Butler

We must have tried an inferior brand of corn litter, because kitty pee turned it to dust – totally unscoopable. It didn't do much better with poop – no clumping at all, very messy to scoop. We finally tossed the bag and went back to clay. What's a cat daddy to do?

http://intensedebate.com/people/caride Daniela Caride

Kent, I tried so many corn brands as well! They were all barely tolerable. I was surprised, then, when I tested Worlds Best cat litter (the extra strength formula for multicat households). A friend told me about it, I tried it, and it held the odors, clumped great, and it was safer for us and the cats.

http://www.CatnipChronicles.com Kent Butler

Thanks, Daniela – I'll check out World's Best 8>)

Frances

I have to comment on your Litter Locker. I purchased one when they first appeared and used it for a couple of years until I saw the Litter Champ (now available at Petco). I bought one and I think it's the best thing on the market! It is so much easier to use and empty, I would not be without one and I recommend it highly. I have 3 cats: Magnolia, Henry and Nigel, and all my litter boxes are deep because of the 2 boys who most of the time insist upon standing.
I love the Daily Tail, thanks.
Frances

http://intensedebate.com/people/caride Daniela Caride

Hi Frances, thanks you so much for jumping in. That's the first time I see the Litter Champ. Just checked it online, and it looks great!! I'm very excited about testing it. I think I'm gonna buy one to see how it goes. Thank you!!

khalidha

hello i have 3 himalayan kittens but ther jus go anywhere they want. i have kept a litter box but even they not going to dat 1 . y is dat??

fletch

Hello, my cat seems to be peeing with her butt up and “sprays” over the edge of her box. the box it 18 inches tall, and the cats is only medium sized, healthy cat. what could be causing her spraying so high? any ways to stop it from going out? or just a taller box?

http://www.thedailytail.com Daniela Caride

Hi Fletch, cats do that a lot, especially when they are trying to make a statement such as “this litter box is mine and everyone who goes in will know it.” I have a cat who does that, and he tries to pee right at the litter box door, where I cut a hole. Sometimes it goes out, of course.
Do you have another cat? Anyways, I’d recommend you to get one of those big rubbermaid plastic containers and use it as a litterbox. Don’t cut any holes in it. If your cat is old and cannot jump in, then I’d recommend you to cut a little hole in it, so she can get in without jumping.

What did you use to make the huge litter box? It would be ideal for my furkids.

http://www.taildom.com/ Daniela Caride

Hi Rachel! I bought a plastic bin at Home Depot and cut a door in it with a saw. After a while they might crack, so you need to replace them every few months. (I guess that might happen with any cheap plastic litter box anyways….) I place the lid at the bottom (can you see it int he picture? it’s white.), so it contains any pee if the plastic bin cracks.